Product Description In 2005, Putumayos head of A&R, Jacob Edgar traveled to Istanbul to immerse himself in Turkeys culture and discover its music. Though its cities are filled with the ancient architecture of its long history, Turkey is considered one of the most modern Muslim countries in the world. This cultural juxtaposition is most evident in Turkeys contemporary pop music scene, where classical traditions and instrumentation blend with sophisticated global pop and dance music. Turkish Groove, reflects this unique musical mosaic and joins the successful Groove series. Much like their Western pop counterparts, Turkish stars push the limit of their societys standards of acceptability. As a result, Turkish pop music is crossing over to audiences outside Turkey, making inroads into the contemporary scenes of Europe and Latin America though remaining largely unknown in other parts of the world. As Turkish pop takes its place on the international stage, its fusions of cultural traditions and modern techniques play to an ever expanding audience. Putumayos Turkish Groove hopes to serve as an introduction to the contemporary sounds of this culturally rich country. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to Karnaval Kid in support of their efforts to improve childcare and education for disadvantaged children in Turkey. .com In 2005, Putamayo's A&R man, Jacob Edgar, traveled to Turkey, a country that straddles Europe and Asia, hung out in its exotic nightclubs, and produced this compilation. If you were expecting to hear some belly-dancing, snake-charming tunes, this CD's 11 tracks will quickly disabuse you of those cliches. These selections exhibit a funky fusion of central Asia, the Balkans, and the Middle East that also includes rap, hip-hop, electronica, and even suggests Ballywood. Turkey's boy idol Tarkan serves up a spicy fluted-and-strings track on "Dudu," equally matched by Mustafa Sandal's Flamenco-flavored heartthrob number, "Kalmadi," with an evocative stringed instrument called a kanun. The ladies also get their groove on, as evidenced by Sertab Erener's whispery soprano on "Buda" and Nazan Oncel's New York-style rap, "Atiyosun." Turkey is an impressive cultural blend of East and West, and nothing signifies that blend better than its pop music. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
J**H
A Lot To Like; More Contemporary Than I Expected
Putumayo's 'groove' CD compilations are more hip-hop/electronic music oriented in some cuts than I am prepared to enjoy but they reflect fine work using those idioms and most of you will like those cuts just fine. If I had a working Turkish vocabulary I would also be capable of rating this music higher so my review is expressing my own opinion based on what I can understand about the music. I agree with 'most helpful favorable reviews' posted with this product that the music is energizing and usually 'hypnotic' or riveting as a window on a great culture. The album gets a strong start with 'Kirmizi Biber', a catchy and danceable number with lively middle eastern rhythms updated to include western saxophone work and more traditional blends of sinuous clarinet and violin lines. 'Kalmadi' is another of my favorites, with the harp-like kanun and 'world music' Flamenco-style guitar work. I find 'Buda' to be a yearning and entrancing piece even though it deals with an ersatz Bhuddism (a limited, 'forget about materialism' theme more than a search for enlightenment.) Sertab has a wonderful, strong singing voice. 'Pis Pisla' shows Gypsy music influences underscored by strong traditional Turkish rhythms and a fine string section. These are just a few of the cuts (my favorites) on offer.
G**R
It Grows on You
I really like this CD. It is upbeat and has some great dance beats to it. I could have done without the hip hop/pop portions(not a big fan of that type of music) but even with that, it is a very good CD and it is on the player with my other top 3. The first song Bendeniz is great belly dancing music. It really gets the hips moving.The only reason I gave this CD 4 starts is because of the very few hip hop areas, but even those are begining to grow on me.
S**R
Good quality CD. A nice collection of music.
I enjoy this CD when I am in a Mediterranean mood, which I seem to be quite often these days.
J**R
Very good CD.
Loved the music. Used it to relax and learn a little about some Turkish music.
S**G
I'm addicted to this CD!
My Turkish roommate and I listen to this CD repeatedly without getting tired of it. The melodies are very catchy (we hum them when not listening), and it's great music to have in the background while driving on a sunny day or cooking. Non-Turkish friends think it's a mostly upbeat CD of exotic "bellydancing" music. My Turkish language skills are minimal, so I don't really notice the lyrics. Although I like all the songs, my roommate dislikes song #7 by Emrah, because the lyrics and style are "old-fashioned."
M**O
Best music...2nd purchase because we wore the first CD out
This is my second purchase. the first one got scratched from too much use in the car CD player. very catchy music, lovely choice of songs. So had to replace our first CD of this music
L**T
Groovy!
There's no accounting for taste, they say. I'll just say that this anthology of recent popular Turkish music is great! Should more than gratify normal expectations of melody, rhythm, arrangement. Not for someone who doesn't speak Turkish and insists on understanding the lyrics, of course (although there is a sprinkling of French and a nice dose of Spanish in a couple of songs). Anyone whose mentality incorporates even an iota of cosmopolitan tastes would love this music, I think.
E**L
Right cover, wrong cd
Right cover but the cd inside is not Turkish Groove. Very disappointed.
P**E
get it !!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not even think about *not* getting this CD! I can honestly say, that I have played it everyday since I have had it.. IT IS BRILL! and possibly my fave Putumayo cds....
J**R
Great Turkish Music
Excellent album to bring back holiday memories.
J**D
Five Stars
The item arrived in the timeframe promised and the music takes me straight back to my fabulous Turkish holiday.
M**N
Turkish groove .
I like bouncy music and this is very bouncy . It cheers you up, it is happy music. I love it. . . It is brilliant for practicing Body Jam, and other dance moves.
A**E
Dörte
Ich bin froh, dass ich diese CD gewählt habe. Sehr gute, mal anders klingende Musik, sie macht einfach glücklich und lädt zum Tanzen ein.Nach einer pünktlichen Lieferung, gleich eingelegt und an unseren schönen Türkei Urlaub zurückgedacht. Ich kann sie all denen empfehlen, die auch gerne in der Türkei ihren Urlaub verbringen und dann weiter zu Hause in ihren Urlaubserinnerungen schwelgen möchten, diese schöne CD rundet das perfekt ab!Ich höre sie täglich und Familie ist auch schon angesteckt.Danke, dass es sie gibt!
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